Sony sensors go to war on digital cameras

Sony has unveiled a 12.25-million-pixel CMOS imaging sensor for camera phones, in a move it hopes will rival image quality produced by the latest digital compact cameras.rnrnPicture (courtesy, Sony): Sony is set to release three new sensors and two lens modulesrnrn

Sony has unveiled a 12.25-million-pixel CMOS imaging sensor for camera phones, in a move it hopes will rival image quality produced by the latest digital compact cameras.

Due for release in March 2009, the 12.25MP ?IMX060PQ? Exmor sensor was announced alongside a new f/2.8 lens module, designed to produce the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 28mm optic. The latter is expected to be shipped next September.

Billed as a world first, Sony claims the 12.25MP sensor is also the industry?s smallest, and with the highest pixel count.

In a statement the firm said: ?In recent years the convenience offered by cameras in mobile phones has driven an increase in their use, while demand for higher image quality has also continued to grow.

?In addition, as mobile phone designs have become more refined, and models become smaller and thinner, the need for further miniaturisation in mobile phone camera technology has also increased.?

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